Singing and worship the focus of new Covid-19 study

Religious and faith followers are being invited to take part in a new UCL study, which aims to understand how the practice of worship has changed during Covid-19. Researchers will also ask a subset of participants to sing, chant or hum as part of an aerosol droplet test, to establish the risk of transmitting Covid-19 when singing hymns or prayers in a place of worship or similar faith setting. At the moment the government in England has placed a number of restrictions on traditional worship activities, which means there are certain limits on numbers allowed in congregations. In regards singing the guidance* states it should be "limited to the performers, and worship should not include congregational singing". It continues: "People should avoid singing, shouting and raising voices. This is because of the potential for increased risk of transmission from aerosol and droplets." Moving forward, the research team believes the study's results could help shape any future update to the government's Covid-19 policy around communal worship and singing. Study lead, Professor Laurence Lovat (UCL Surgery & Interventional Science) said: "Places of worship play an important role in society, providing both spiritual guidance and expression, and bringing communities together.  "Unfortunately the Covid-19 pandemic has significantly changed many people's daily or weekly worshipping routines, affecting their ability to pray, enjoy group discussion or take part in singing or chanting.